Title

Authors

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-24-2013

Abstract

By 2050, it is estimated that 97 million people or one-fourth of the U.S. population will be of Latino descent. Yet, often mental health therapists have inherently Western approaches to treatment that may not effectively aid culturally diverse groups. This presentation is a literature review of successful therapies for treating Latino Americans. It investigates empirical studies that have been peer reviewed and are published in scholarly journals. The findings indicate two essential concepts: intercultural competence and culture-bound syndromes for Latino American mental health services. Intercultural competence includes recognizing how migratory and acculturative stress may play a role in a person’s mental condition. It implies that the therapist should realize how another society has distinctive values, such as the importance of collectivism or maintaining masculinity and femininity. Also, intercultural competency demonstrates that no culture is monolithic; cultures have group differences within and are nuanced. Included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Text-Revision) is the model of culture-bound syndromes. These are diseases that are widespread in a specific culture but are unfamiliar to those outside of the culture. For treatment of Latino Americans, therapists should be able to diagnose culture-bound syndromes such as coraje, susto, and nervios.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Full text link is to abstract only.

Recommended Citation

Siganporia, Tina, "The Use of Intercultural Competency and Culture-Bound Syndromes in Mental Health Services for Latino Americans" (2013). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 218.
http://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/218